Abstract: Biologically active polypeptides and/or antigens are delivered by administering to a subject a non-invasive or non-pathogenic bacterium which expresses one or more antigens or polypeptides. The non-invasive or non-pathogenic bacterium can be included in delivery systems or pharmaceutical formulations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a genetically modified bacteriophage, pseudovirion or phagemid capable of entering a host cell by binding of its artificial ligand to an artificial receptor present on said host cell. The invention relates also to the use of the genetically modified bacteriophage, pseudovirion or phagemid and of the host cell to screen sequence libraries, including antibody library.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing recombinant neuraminidase by culturing in a suitable culture medium host cells which are transformed with a neuraminidase expression vector or infected with a virus which is transformed with a neuraminidase expression vector, wherein the expression vector comprises at least a part of the coding region of a neuraminidase gene of an influenza virus minus the region which codes for the membrane anchor, or a modified version thereof, preceded in phase by a signal sequence; and isolating the expression product neuraminidase from the culture medium. The invention further relates to vectors expressing the neuraminidase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the multi-tumor Aberrant Growth (MAG) gene having the nucleotide sequence of any one of the strands of any one of the members of the High Mobility Group protein genes or LIM protein genes, including modified versions thereof. The gene and its derivatives may be used in various diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: A catheter containing an inflatable balloon, which is at its periphery provided with hollow extensions that communicate between the outside of the balloon and the lumen of the catheter for use in the gene therapeutic treatment of local disorders by transfer of a desired gene to a target cell or tissue being part of or being located in the vicinity of a blood vessel. The catheter is preferably the Infiltrator® catheter.

Abstract: The invention relates to the identification of a new protein that binds to the cytoplasmic domain of syndecan. This new protein, denominated as “syntenin”, contains 298 amino acids and is characterized by a tandem repeat of PDZ-domains that reacts with the C-terminal amino acid sequence of syndecans. The amino-terminal region of syntenin further comprises five tyrosine residues whereas no tyrosine residues are present in the remaining part of the protein. The present invention further discloses a nucleic acid encoding syntenin, a method to screen for components interfering with the syndecan-syntenin interaction, a method for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease, inflammatory diseases, and malignancies and a pharmaceutical composition for healing the latter diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of IL-15 or active variants thereof and/or IL-15 activity enhancing compounds for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for manipulating memory cells of the immune system, such as manipulating viability ad/or responsiveness of said memory cells. The IL-15 activity enhancing compound is for example lipopolysaccharidc (LPS). The invention further relates to the use of IL-15 inhibiting or eliminating compounds for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for manipulating memory cells of the immune system. Such inhibiting or eliminating compounds are for example anti-IL-15 antibodies, anti-IL-15R&agr; antibodies, fragments of these antibodies, e.g. the Fab or F(ab′)2 fragment, soluble IL-15R&agr;, fusion proteins consisting of soluble IL-15R&agr;, and Fc fragment, compounds, e.g. peptides, binding and/or inhibiting functional IL-15 receptor, IL-15 antisense oligonucleotides.

Abstract: The current invention concerns SMAD interacting protein(s) obtainable by a two-hybrid screening assay whereby SMAD1 C-domain fused to GAL4 DNA-binding domain as bait and a cDNA library from mouse embryo as prey are used. Some characteristics of a specific SMAD interacting protein (SIP1) of the family of zinc finger/homeodomain proteins including &dgr;-crystallin enhancer binding protein and/or Drosophila zfh-1 include an inability to interact with full size XSMAD1 in yeast, SIP1czf binds to E2 box sites, SIP1czf binds to the Brachyury protein binding site and interferes with Brachyury-mediated transcription activation in cells and also interacts with C-domain of SMAD 1, 2 and 5. The minimal length of the amino acid sequence necessary for binding with SMAD appears to be a 51 amino acid domain encompassing amino acids 166-216 of SEQ ID NO 2 having the amino acid sequence as depicted in the one letter code: QHLGVGMEAPLLGFPTMNSNLSEVQKVLQIVDNTVSRQKMDCKTEDISKLK (SEQ ID NO. 21).

Abstract: Methods for obtaining surface expression of a desired protein or polypeptide in Gram-positive host organisms are provided. In addition, vectors useful in such methods as well as Gram-positive host organisms transformed with such vectors are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant neuraminidase obtainable by culturing in a suitable culture medium host cells which are transformed with a neuraminidase expression vector or infected with a virus which is transformed with a neuraminidase expression vector, wherein the expression vector comprises at least a part of the coding region of a neuraminidase gene of an influenza virus minus the region which codes for the membrane anchor, or a modified version thereof, preceded in phase by a signal sequence; and isolating the expression product neuraminidase from the culture medium. The invention further relates to a vaccine in which the recombinant neuraminidase is applied, and methods for manufacturing and purifying thereof.